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Gardening in the UK

Brown edges on Cherry Laurel leaves.

alison_froglady

19 years ago

I have a large shrub 'Prunus Laurocerasis 'Otto Luyken' (cherry Laurel)'which has started to brown on the leaves. As this is an evergreen shrub and hasn't happened before I just hoped that one of you could tell me why it has happened and if there is anything I can do to save it.

The older bottom leaves are the worst but even on the new growth there are signs of it. The flowers are just coming on to the shrub and seem okay. The only information I have gleaned on the internet is that it could be caused by too much or too little water. So that leaves me exactly where I was before I searched. The weathermen said it had been a drier March this year so could it be a lack of water? It is situated mainly in shade in front of a privet hedge. It is still putting on new growth of a good 6 to 8 inches on each stem. I would appreciate all your help.Thanks.

Alison

Here is a link that might be useful:

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Comments (5)

Kazzie
19 years ago
Alison, if you go to this link and scroll down to the questions and answers section, there appear to be a couple that relate to your problem. Good luck and let me know how you get on.

Kaz

Here is a link that might be useful: Hope this helps
alison_froglady
Original Author
19 years ago
Kazzie - I knew I could depend on you... There isn't exactly my problem on that site in the questions and answers but I at least could ask there now and send in the photo for them to see exactly what is wrong. I have just been taking the leaves off when they are brown but there are quite a lot. Thanks. And thanks for all your comments about my website. If anyone ever does read this post maybe they would also like to take a look at my garden. It is www.the-horsfalls.co.uk
Alison
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I had six otto luykens in front when moved into house. Three died, yellow leaves turn brown,dropped. When I pulled dead shrubs out noticed base trunk bloated and oozing with wormish holes. Peach borers love cherry laurels. Purchased Bonide 8, Borer/Miner concentrate and have been able to save remaining three (though some pest damage present). Have planted three new also and spraying those also and keeping well watered.
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As a member of the Prunus clan, laurels of all variety are prone to a whole host of disease issues. In addition to the various root rots Dorie refers to, there are assorted fungal stem cankers that can cause branch dieback or even plant death. Also bacterial and fungal leaf spots that can be very disfiguring and the fire blight previously mentioned. While I agree that laurels can provide an excellent evergreen backdrop as a foundation planting or as privacy screening/hedging, if you are having issues with this plant, perhaps now IS a good time to consider an alternate, less disease-prone solution.
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Do you have garden soil in that container? If so, that's probably what's wrong. Garden soil gets horribly compacted around the roots and they can't absorb nutrients and they don't have nearly enough aeration to survive. Containers need a growing mix like ProMix or Fafard or other good stuff, not your regular soil. But all isn't lost if you can replace that soil.
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shrubs_n_bulbs
19 years ago
That site discusses bacterial cankers which are very common, but your picture doesn't look like that. Diseased leaves develop brown spots and are mis-shapen. In serious cases the leaves develop holes and tears, and the branches become damaged. Your problem looks more like winter windburn although Otto Luyken should be completely hardy. Maybe lack of water and very cold weather combined.

I would sit tight and see what the new growth looks like. Make sure the leaves are clean and not distorted.
alison_froglady
Original Author
19 years ago
Thankyou shrubs. I wondered if it was lack of water, and what you say about windburn could very easily be the problem. My garden is very windy. Although I am surrounded by houses and bordering fences and hedges I seem to get the most wind and where all the adjacent and facing gardens are in sunshine mine is still in shade for a lot of the day. On a normal day where there is no wind I still get it, so on proper windy days everything gets blown over. The plants all move across the pond and my swing falls over. It just must be how my garden is situated.
The new growth on the plant is looking good and the flowers are all ready to burst forth with no brown patches. It really seems to just be affecting last years growth. I will just tidy it up a bit and sit tight as you suggest. Thanks.
Alison
Fiona
12 years ago
Hi,
I am hoping that some advice might be available concerning my Cherry Laurel hedge.. We live at Cudal, which is near Orange NSW. The leaves of our Cherry Laurel have developed burnt edges. We have not had a lot of heavy frosts this year so I doubt it is frost burn ( even though it dies look like it). They are new, having been planted several months ago & are approximately 2-3 feet high. All the leaves are effected.

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